Finance Programme Management Office Head

Rand Water; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent utility organization in South Africa is seeking an experienced project manager to lead financial projects. Responsibilities include aligning project goals with the organization's strategy, managing risks, and leading high-performing teams. Ideal candidates will have a Bachelor's Degree in Finance, 7+ years of project management experience, and a proven track record in driving strategic value. This role promotes a culture of continuous improvement and effective communication within the Finance Business Unit.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in project management, specifically in financial projects.
• 5+ years of financial acumen with a solid understanding of analysis and regulatory compliance.
• 5+ years of leadership experience in FPMO teams.

Responsibilities

• Align the Finance PMO's vision with the organization's goals.
• Ensure financial projects align with strategic objectives.
• Implement FPMO frameworks for optimized project delivery.
• Manage risks proactively and ensure effective communication with leadership.

Skills

Project Management Knowledge

Financial Knowledge

Leadership Knowledge

Technical Skills

Soft Skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Finance or Project Management

Master's Degree in a business-related field

Job description

Job Advert Summary

This role ensures that funding aligns with strategic goals, drives consistent project management practices in Finance, prioritizes high-impact initiatives, manages risks proactively, and fosters transparent communication with leadership to support the Finance Business Unit's objectives.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree with majors in Finance, Project Management
• Master's Degree in a business-related field

Advantageous Qualifications

PEMBOK / PRINCE 2 / Waterfall / Agile PM qualification

Experience

Project Management Expertise (7 years)

Proven experience leading complex financial projects, implementing FPMO methodologies, managing budgets, resources, and risks, with a strong track record of on-time, on-budget delivery using modern project management tools.

Financial Acumen (5 years)

Solid financial acumen with experience in analysis, regulatory compliance, and data-driven insights. Familiar with FPMO environments and adept at using analytics to enhance financial project outcomes.

Leadership Experience (5 years)

Skilled in leading high-performing FPMO teams, with strengths in coaching, stakeholder engagement, communication, and driving change initiatives across the organization.

Primary Duties

• Aligning the Finance PMO's vision with the organization's overarching goals
• Ensuring that financial projects align with strategic goals and turning long-term objectives into actionable FPMO plans
• Architecting and implementing FPMO frameworks that optimize project delivery across the FBU
• Prioritizing high-impact financial programs, maximizing ROI and driving strategic value
• Proactively mitigating potential risks through robust risk management strategies
• Cultivating clear and consistent communication channels with senior leadership
• Championing continuous improvement within the Finance PMO by adopting best practices and technologies
• Data-driven decision making: overseeing data scientists to enable informed decisions, manage risks, and improve FPMO processes through data analytics

Key Competencies

• Project Management Knowledge: Methodologies, project life cycle phases, budgeting & resource management, risk management, tools and technologies
• Financial Knowledge: Accounting principles, analysis techniques, regulations, data analysis concepts, data-driven decision making
• Leadership Knowledge: Leadership styles, team building & development, change management, communication skills
• Technical Skills: Project Management expertise, financial acumen, data analysis skills
• Soft Skills: Leadership, communication, analytical, innovation, continuous improvement, delegation, empowerment, time management, organisational skills, strategic thinking, results-driven, proactivity, risk management, collaboration, influence, accountability, adaptability, resilience, ethical judgement, empowering leadership